April 3, 2026, 1:04 p.m. CT
At the end of the day, one pick won’t define the Houston Texans‘ 2026 season, but the notion of missing out on an offensive lineman once again could make or break for the Texans once more.
The initial major wave of free agency has end, so the Texans know what their short-term needs are headed in the end of the month. While right tackle and left guard remain long-term issues, perhaps it’s not the most important position to address after the signing of Colts longtime right tackle Braden Smith and Browns lineman Wyatt Teller.
The same goes for the defensive line after Sheldon Rankins and Logan Hall each inked two-year deals to stick around NRG Stadium through 2028. As for safety, the Texans might need to worry about how to replace Calen Bullock should he become too expensive in the future, but the immediate arrival of Reed Blankenship should stabilize the strong safety spot after five players saw reps last fall on the No. 1.
So, where do the Texans turn next?
Following the league owner meetings, all eyes turn toward the draft as the next calendar move. Pro days are over and players have begun separating themselves as legit Day 1 selections and potential late-round steals.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Who is in play for the Texans at No. 28?
Texans Wire has rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Texans will more than likely shore up the trenches should they stay in the first round, and three names that constantly seem to appear as the favorites to call NRG Stadium home for the long haul.
From Kiper: “Why would the Texans go defense? Yes, it’s their strength, but they need to keep it their strength. Smart teams plan ahead. And having the chance to put a disruptive interior lineman between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is exciting. Miller is active and quick, and he keeps getting better. With opponents focused on stopping Anderson and Hunter, Miller could get pressure inside and make some plays in the backfield. He had 7.5 tackles for loss over the past two years.”
From Yates: “Houston could use more youth at defensive tackle, and McDonald was the best at his position against the run in 2025. His sturdy frame and power make him a tough player to move around.”
From Jeremiah: “There are a lot of similarly graded interior offensive linemen that I have in the second-round range. I have a feeling one of them is going climb into Round 1. In this case, Houston stays in state to add Bisontis.”
From Zierlein:“Hill is fast, can rush or cover on third down and is a very good tackle finisher who rarely misses assignments in the run game. Both Texans starting linebackers (Henry To’oTo’o and Azeez Al-Shaair) are free agents after 2026; however, Hill should be able to supplant To’oTo’o this year.”
From Miller: “Signing 30-year-old Braden Smith to a two-year contract solves Houston’s right tackle need for the moment, but the Texans’ plan to build a young (and inexpensive) offensive line around C.J. Stroud is still in place. Miller started 54 college games at right tackle and improved every season, allowing only two sacks in 2025. With 34-inch arms and a strong base to block from, Miller profiles as a solid starter with higher-end potential as he develops his run-blocking talents.”
From Thompson:“The Texans are known for trading back, so picking a few extra picks and still landing Iheanachor might end up being the best course of action for GM Nick Caserio. The redshirt senior started 31 games over his three seasons with the Sun Devils, including all 14 of their College Football Playoff run in 2024. He’s a proven name that could immediately compete with Trent Brown for reps at right tackle. He’s ready as a run blocker, but his pass protection could use some work.”
From Middlehurst-Schwartz:”Even with the strides made in pass protection last year, the Texans still seem at least a little unsettled up front. Keeping Tytus Howard at left guard might be the optimal route for Houston, but doing so would create some uncertainty at right tackle. The ultra-reliable Miller, who started for four years at Clemson, could step in as the final piece of the puzzle.”
From Ostley: “Houston’s defense is one of the scariest units in the NFL and should be that once again in 2026 but they have a need on the interior. Banks could shore that up in a big way. A foot injury at the combine may drop his stock but he’s one of the best at the position in the class at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds.”
From Davis: “They invested heavily in (Iowa State) receivers in last year’s draft, but Houston still doesn’t have a proven option behind WR1 Nico Collins. And a team that doesn’t appear to have many glaring needs might decide Cooper, Mendoza’s top target at IU − and one comfortable operating from the slot − might be too good to pass up.”
From Jones:“The Texans continue their upgrade of the offensive line with Miller. Yes, they signed veteran right tackle Braden Smith in free agency, but the former Indianapolis Colt has battled injury in recent years, and Miller gives the Texans the long-term answer at the position. At 6-7 and 317 pounds, he has great size. He is a four-year starter and has great durability. Paired with 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery, who starts at left tackle, Houston now has its bookends of the future to help keep C.J. Stroud upright for years to come.”
From Brooks: “Slotting in a disruptive defensive tackle between a pair of All-Pro edge rushers (Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.) would make the Texans’ defense even nastier.”
From Podell:Â “Lee Hunter is a strong, wide defensive tackle, which made him an outstanding run defender at Texas Tech. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter can help improve his pass-rushing chops at the NFL level, and he can learn the ropes from Sheldon Rankins for a couple of years before being relied on more heavily during passing downs.”
From Alexander: “With McDonald being the best available player on the board, it made sense for Houston to take him here. Florida’s Caleb Woods was another option, but he suffered a broken foot at the combine. McDonald, who is 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, was one of the most productive defensive tackles in college football. He’s more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, which is exactly what the Texans need.”
From Tice: “General manager Nick Caserio loves his big school players. And Proctor is the literal biggest of big school players in this year’s draft class. Yes, the Texans signed offensive tackle Braden Smith to a two-year deal, but Smith has missed time essentially every season of his career. Proctor would be gigantic at the position, but he could start his career at guard and provide depth at tackle before kicking out down the road. The Texans should keep addressing their offensive line, and while a guard or center option would be preferable, adding beef of some sort, even if there is not a clean path right away, should not stop the Texans from adding a talented player at offensive line.”
From Auman:“This really should be an offensive line pick, but six of them are off the board already. Going defensive tackle makes much more sense if Sheldon Rankins isn’t re-signed in free agency. Houston will need to address their line, but can do so in the second or third round. To let the Texans get the second defensive tackle off the board is a rich-get-richer problem for the NFL.”
From Manzano: “Iheanachor’s stock might have gone up recently after Patriots coach Mike Vrabel showed interest in working with him during his pro day. Iheanachor is a raw prospect, but the Texans have time to develop him after signing Braden Smith and getting promising results from 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery.”
From Easterling:“The offensive line is Houston’s top priority, but after signing Braden Smith to replace Tytus Howard at right tackle, they could wait until Day 2 to address the interior. That could free them up to spend this pick on another high-upside weapon for DeMeco Ryans’ defense, bringing Banks’ massive frame and rare physical traits into a defense that’s built to maximize what he does well, with a coaching staff that will get the most out of his talent.”
From Feldman: “This is a need spot for Houston, and McDonald is a load against the run. He’s 6-2, 326, and just turned 21. McDonald was a force for the Buckeyes in 2025, making 65 tackles with nine TFLs and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Against Texas to start the season, he had eight tackles, the same as he had against Miami to finish the season. That’s a lot of production for an interior D-lineman.”
From Shook: “The Texans’ biggest weakness over the last two years has been their offensive line. GM Nick Caserio dedicated resources to it this offseason by signing guard Wyatt Teller and tackle Braden Smith, but why stop there? “
From Rang: “In a case of the rich getting richer, the Texans boost one of the league’s dominant defenses with this year’s top interior lineman. Houston might be able to get McDonald at No. 28 overall, but they shouldn’t balk at giving up a Day 3 pick if it means ensuring they land one of the few nose guards with legitimate pass rush ability.”
From Iyer:“The Texans will keep piling on to their defense by addressing some of the weak spots. McDonald fills a big hole for adding more inside pass-rush po,p, including maintaining power run stopping.”